Obituary - Florene Emaline French

New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1923, was very eventful for Fred and Emma (Leetch) Hearting as they welcomed their first of eight children, Florene Emaline. Florene made her joyful trip to heaven on March 29, 2024.

Florene was baptized as a baby. She was confirmed on May 4, 1941 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Appleton City, Missouri.

During her childhood she attended school at Elm Grove, Blue Mound, Lutheran Parochial and Appleton City High School, graduating in 1945. She continued her education at Central Missouri State Teacher College to become an elementary teacher. Florene began her teaching career at Cumpton School in 1945. Her career continued at Hudson (1945-1948), Hopewell (1948-1949), Rich Valley (1949-1950), Ohio (1951-1953) Pleasant View (1953-1954), Lowry City (1954-1959), and Appleton City Elementary (1959-1979). Teaching was a joy in her life and she cherished her students. Florene had an excellent memory and was always happy to see her former students to recall the past and learn about their present lives.

Florene met Darrel French when they both were attendants at Warren and Wilma (Fenwick) Stephan’s wedding. They were married on April 14, 1950 in Osceola, Missouri at Pastor Albert Gaston’s home, who was the minister of Pleasant Valley Church. The couple attended Ohio Christian Church and resided in the Ohio community for 24 years. Together they farmed, raised cattle, hogs and milked cows. On February 14, 1974 they built a new home in Appleton City, Missouri to enjoy their retirement years together. They traveled the United States, owned and showed antique cars and enjoyed camping and fishing at the Fall Creek Campground in Branson, Missouri.

After Darrel passed away in 1994, Florene became an exemplary hand quilter and made beautiful quilts for her nieces, nephews and friends. Florene celebrated her 90th birthday, in style, by buying herself a brand new black GT Mustang to cruise around town.

Florene was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, three sisters (Ethel Rohlfing, Irma Stephan and Helen Livingston), three brothers (Walter, Elmer and Wilfred Hearting) and one very special nephew (Darrell Hearting). She is survived by her sister, (Mabel Siegismund), many nieces, nephews and her special friends (Linda Gurley, Helena Strope and Joan Garrison).

Florene was very blessed to have a loving Hospice Care Group led by Dianna and John. Nathalie Schooley and her family are greatly appreciated for their thoughtfulness and kindness shown to Florene during her stay in the Nursing Home. Gratitude goes to the Nursing Home Staff who took such wonderful care of Florene. Florene’s sharp mind and her quality conversations will be greatly missed.

Memorial contribution suggestions are to the Appleton City Cemetery or Heartland Hospice (Butler, MO)

Visitation will be Wednesday April 3rd from 9:30- 10:00am with the funeral to follow at 10am at the Hill & Sons Funeral Home in Appleton City, Missouri.

Structure fire Easter Sunday in Nevada

The Nevada Fire Department responded to the report of a structure fire late Sunday afternoon.

According to Nevada Fire Chief Troy Denney, the department received the call of smoke inside a residence at 217 W. Hunter St. in Nevada. shortly after 4:00 p.m. Sunday.

When the fire personnel arrived there was no visible fire from the outside but after entering the residence they did discover smoke from floor to ceiling. 

The cause of the smoke was found and extinguished that was caused by an overloaded electrical outlet. Firefighters cleared the smoke from the home.

No injuries were reported.

Strong-Severe storms possible today

Scattered thunderstorms expected today after 3 PM with severe weather possible. Main threats include damaging winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes. Localized, minor flooding is possible. Temperatures around freezing possible overnight WED through FRI.

Obituary - John D. Montemayor

John D. Montemayor, age 58, of Edwards, Missouri passed away Friday, March 29, 2024 at his home. He was born on November 11, 1965 in Kansas City, Kansas the son of Frank Montemayor, Jr. and Marilyn Louise Drennon.

John grew up in Mission, Kansas and graduated from Shawnee Mission High School in 1984. He went on to further his education and received his bachelor’s degree in railroad engineering and was employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad.

John was a firefighter and first responder for thirty years. He started with the Mission Kansas Department and ended it with the Northwest Fire Protection District in Edwards.

He was a member of the American Legion Post #217 of Warsaw, the Guardians of the Children in Warsaw and was active in his community all his life. He enjoyed fishing and loved to find time to be on the water any chance he had.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Marilyn Montemayor.

John is survived by his wife, Cynthia Montemayor, eight children; Stephanie Penn (Jake), Jake Montemayor (Amanda), Wayne Price Jr. (Brittany), Nicole Montemayor, Kyle Montemayor, Daniel Boucher, Aniyah Boucher and Stacey Parker (Shelley), thirteen grandchildren, his father, Frank Montemayor Jr., his siblings; Frank Montemayor III (Modesty), Scott Clampitt (Bonnie) Melissa Clampitt, Monica Roy (Steve), and his father-in-law, Steve Clampitt.

Memorial Services will be held by the family at a later date.

Obituary - Johnny Lee Brown

Johnny Lee Brown, age 72, of Clinton, Missouri passed away on Monday, March 18, 2024 at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton, Missouri. Memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri with visitation from 1:00-2:00 PM prior to the service. Memorial contributions can be made to the Johnny Brown Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Johnny Lee Brown has returned on to (happier hunting grounds) this is what the Native Americans referred to as heaven. He is reunited in spirit with his father, Tommy Lee Brown and 2 sisters Juely and Dixie and his little buddy Little Bit.

He was born on June16, 1951 in Osceola, Missouri, the son of Tommy Lee Brown and Lois Ann (Lemley) Brown.

He was employed for many years as a heavy equipment operator for local rock quarries. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, hunting arrowheads and riding motorcycles.

He is survived by his soulmate, caregiver and best friend Shelby Scheib, and by his three daughters, Jodie Michelle Brown, Angela Brown and Katelynn Troxel; one son, Butchy Floyd; his mother, Lois Cox; two brothers, Nick Brown and Billy Ray Cox; two sisters, Sandra Brown and Kitty Brown; and numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father; one son, Jason Lee Brown; and two sisters, Dixie June Brown and Judy Ann Brown.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.

Update: Suspect in Rich Hill Shooting taken into custody

On 3/30/2024 at approximately 0615 hrs dispatch received a call in reference to a male subject who was shot while at his residence in Rich Hill Missouri. The victim was being transported to the Bates County Memorial Hospital by a family member. 

The victim and the on scene witnesses identified the shooter as Leon Berry of Rich Hill. The witness information stated that after the shooting, Berry, still armed with a pistol, fled the house on foot. The victim was flown to a trauma hospital in Kansas City with non-life threatening injuries.

A search of the area began immediately by deputies. Leads began to be developed as information was put out to the public. Every deputy of the Sheriff’s Office and Rich Hill Police Department were called out from home to help in the search and to follow up on leads. Empty houses, garages and sheds were searched in an attempt to locate Berry. Known associates, previous vehicles, and previous residences were identified and located. 

Assistance was requested from Vernon County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol when a lead came in that Berry may have been seen in Richard’s Missouri. A team of Bates County Deputies responded to assist Vernon County and MSHP in Richard’s Mo.

At approximately 10:15am incident command had a citizen inform them that they had information of a potential sighting of Berry just west of Rich Hill City limits. A small team of Deputies arrived and observed Berry jump a fence with a handgun in his hand. Deputies confronted him at gun point at which point Berry turned the gun on himself holding it to his head. Berry had reportedly told people that he was going to commit “suicide by cop”, to prevent returning to jail.

A team of Bates County Sheriff’s Crisis Negotiators arrived on scene and began talking with Berry. After approximately 10 minutes, Berry dropped his gun and was taken into custody without incident. Berry was transported to the Bates County Jail pending a finalized investigation.

A search warrant for the residence of the shooting was applied for and received to process the crime scene. Detectives are currently on scene processing that scene for evidence.

Berry currently has an active warrant for unlawful use of a weapon and possession of narcotics with a bond of $30,000.

Once the investigation is complete charges will the forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office for review. “Today I observed multiple agencies come together with citizens for a single purpose, To Protect and Serve our Community.

I want to say Thank You to Rich Hill Police Department, Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri Highway Patrol and all the deputies who came from home to help.” Says Sheriff Anderson.

Chances for severe storms Sunday and Monday

Non-severe showers and thunderstorms possible Sunday morning. Strong to severe storms are possible Sunday and Monday. The main threat for Sunday evening/night is large hail and for Monday damaging winds and large hail.

Police searching for shooting suspect in Rich Hill

The Bates County Sheriff is searching Rich Hill area for suspect involved in shooting of one person on east side of rich hill. Suspect fled on foot wearing red and black shirt and blue jeans. Subject is white male, 5’10 190lb. Subject in his 50s

Suspect has brown hair and a goatee. Suspect has been identified as Leon Berry and has recently made threats toward law enforcement in regards to not returning to jail. 

Please remain indoors and if seen call 911. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPROACH.

Update on the shooting suspect potential vehicle description. This is the color and style of the vehicle with 20” chrome wheels.